§ Mr. Simsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why officers of the Metropolitan Police are charged for copies of General Orders; when this charge was last increased and by how much; and if he will arrange for the charge to be abolished.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that charges are made only where officers require copies of General Orders for their private use—for example, in connection with study for promotion examinations. The charges consist of a returnable deposit of £5 and a non-returnable fee of £2 per annum for a copy of the Orders with amendments; they were increased to this level from £2 and 50 pence respectively on 1st January 1977. I see no reason to abolish them.
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§ Mr. Simsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there is an "establishment figure" of the number of cars which the Metropolitan Police need to carry out their duties efficiently and, if so, what this figure is; and how many cars are in fact in use, or available for use at any one time.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe establishment figure of cars for the Metropolitan Police, agreed with the Home Office, is 1992. It is estimated that, on an average day, 85 per cent. of cars are available for use; the remainder are being maintained or repaired.